LEARNING DAILY

 

Ephesians 4:12-15, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, til we all come to the unity of faith and the knowledge of the Son of Man, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but speaking truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head - Christ –

 

In the last page of the blog Jesus gave gifts to spiritual leaders to benefit the Church.  To some He gave the title of Apostle, to others He gave the title of Prophet, to others He gave the title of Evangelist and to others He gave the title of Pastor and Teacher. They were given the responsibility of preparing God’s people for works of service and to grow in spiritual maturity.  When the Church functions as designed the following happens.

 

The saints (all Believers) are equipped or trained to do the work of ministry.  It needs to be said that all Believers are to be ministers; the thought that only professional ministers are to do ministry is not the New Testament model.  Every member of the body of Christ is to be ready to share the Gospel of Christ – to tell how their life has changed since accepting Christ.  Nonbelievers become aware that something is different in the actions and talk of Believers and want to know more about that difference.  The kingdom of God increases in numbers and the Church is strengthened when believers use their God-given gifts to “edify” one another in the faith.

 

Paul teaches that “the unity of the Spirit” and the “unity of the faith” are maintained and perfected only by accepting the message of the gospel.  At this particular time this was the teaching of the apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers He gave the Church.  Today, I believe these people are still important; however, we now have the full Word of God given to us to study and allow the Holy Spirit to teach us and help us grow in maturity.  The “perfect” man Paul speaks of means ‘mature” man who has become what he was intended to be by God (I know I said man – you know I mean woman as well!)  Paul is also speaking of growing in grace, always moving forward in spiritual maturity.  Believers are not to remain babes in Christ but growing in all aspects of Christ.  It’s time to grow up baby Christian!

 

Paul defines spiritually mature persons in verses 13-15.  Being spiritually mature means no longer being infants who are unstable and easily deceived by human doctrines (humanism) or vulnerable to the crafty showmanship of some preachers.  Believers are not to be “tossed around by every wind of doctrine or trickery of men”.  Instead we are to have knowledge of the truth in order to reject false teachers.  They are around us and in the time we are facing more and more will come about speaking words of deceit, to lead anyone who will follow to destruction.  People remain infants, babes in Christ if their understanding of and commitment to Biblical truth are inadequate.  To be spiritually mature is to “speak the truth in love”.

 

To “speak the truth in love” was Jesus’ way and every member of the body of Christ should follow His example.  Unity results when love is at the center of what is done.  An active love seeks to resolve problems and settle problems or differences; this occurs when truth is spoken in a way that encourages growth and focusses on Christ.  The Word of God must always be the benchmark of “speaking the truth in love”.  It can never be overturned!

 

You are an important and necessary part for the Church to grow and be effective.  Love is when every member of the body of Christ is properly working together – each doing their part.  You are a unique and crucial part of God’s plan.

 

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